Homebrew Exanimated Species Details

Exanimated are lifeless bodies given life through some sort of means, not undead but not quite alive. Whether it be a failed necromancy experiment to the result of the raven queen cursing some poor soul, they are now roaming the word after their time has passed.

"Undead"

They're not mindless like their zombie cousins and if one is lucky it can live an entire extra lifetime before returning to the grave. Though they do share some zombie traits, they cannot be poisoned, can see better in darkness, and are very resilient. Their bodies are partially living so they can still age and heal from natural resting, but most magical healing does not work on them still.

Not what you were

You can choose any race to be what you used to be when you were more living but you dont have all the aspects you might have had. But you do get whatever language that race might have known. Besides that, consult your dm on anything else you might wanna keep from your original life.

Buying time

Your body is the age which it was when you died the first time, as well as your mental age. Your body ages differently than it would if it were alive, if youre in a colder climate you can live a lot longer than if you lived in a warm climate. On rare occasions Exanimated have lived twice their original lifespan because of this, while others lasted mere months.

Exanimated Traits

Exanimate vary but have these constant traits

Undead fortitude

Because you count as being undead, if damage reduces you to 0 hit points, you must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, you drop to 1 hit point instead, you can only use this function once a day.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60ft as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. The monster can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Dead blood

You are immune to poison and being poisoned. But at the same time you can not be healed by anything that cant heal undead.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution increases by 2

Age

Exanimated are as mature as they were when they died and usually live for a couple extra years, but under proper circumstances can live nearly indefinitely

Alignment

Exanimated tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the worst are found among them.

Size

Your size depends on your previous body but are usually medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 20 feet. Youre still a little dead so youre not as fast as before.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice.